Double action cutting tool



June 26, 1962 J. M. WALTER ETAL 3,040,632

DOUBLE ACTION CUTTING TOOL Original Filed May 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1A TTOEA/EY5.

June 26, 1962. WALTER ETAL 3,040,632

DOUBLE ACTION CUTTING TOOL Original Filed May 10, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2A 7' To'eAl 3,ti4tl,632 DQUBLE ACTION QUTTING T001.

John M. Walter and Graham E. Marx, Qincinnati, @hio, assignors to The G.A. Gray Company, Cincinnati, Ulric, a corporation of Ghio Originalapplication May 1d, 1955, Ser. No. 507,207, new Patent No. 2,940,368,dated .inne 14, 1960. Divided and this application Juiy I6, 1959, Ser.No. 827,632

1 Claim. (CI. 90-53) This invention relates to cutting tools formachining operations and is directed particularly to a double actiontool for planing machines, that is, a tool which provides a planingaction during one or both directions of relative travel of the tool andwork.

The present application is a division of the co-pending application ofJohn M. Walter and Graham E. Marx for Machine Tool, Serial No. 507,207,filed on May 10, 1955, now Patent No. 2,940,368, issued June 14, 1960.

In general, a typical metal working planer comprises a bed having atable slidably mounted thereon for power reciprocation in forward andreverse directions along the bed. The machine includes a vertical columnat one or both sides of the bed supporting a cross rail transverselyabove the table, with a rail head slidably mounted upon the cross railand adapted to be fedalong the 3,040,632 Patented June 726, i962 toolholder and providing abutments which resist the rail in stepwise fashionin time with the reciprocations of the table.

In operating a conventional planer of this character, utilizing a singleaction tool, the tool is mounted upon a tool slide or head which iscarried by the rail head, and the tool slide is adjusted vertically tobring the cutting edge of the tool to the proper plane with respect tothe surface of the workpiece which is clamped upon the table. At thestart of the operation, the rail head resides at one side of theworkpiece in position to take a cut during motion of the table throughits cutting stroke. At the end of the cutting stroke, the tool is fedtransversely and the motion of the table is reversed for the returnstroke, while the cutting tool is inactive, such that through successivecutting strokes, a planed surface is generated upon the surface of theworkpiece. It will be apparent that the return stroke of the table whenusing a single action cutting tool inherently results in wasted time andimpairs the ehiciency of a given planing operation since the cuttingtool is idling during a large percentage of total operating time.

One of the primary objectives of the present invention has been toprovide a cutting tool for eifecting a cutting action during both thecutting and return strokes of the table and which presents opposedcutting tools to the surface of the work with the full rigidity of amodern single action tool, thereby to improve the quality of the workproduced in a double cutting operation.

In general, the present double acting tool' comprises a tool body orholder in the form of a rugged block having opposed recesses in whichare mounted two cut-.

ting bits facing generally in opposite directions, the cutting bitsbeing alternately presented to the work surface during the forward andreturn strokes of the table. The arrangement is such that the twocutting bits have cutting edges which alternately reside in the samerelative positions but which face generally in opposite directionsduring the forward and return cutting strokes. In the preferredarrangement, the opposed cutting edges and working faces of the bitsreside at right angles to the path of relative motion between thecutting bid and work surface.

As disclosed in the co-pending application, the tool slide upon whichthe double acting tool is mounted includes opposed stop means locatedclosely adjacent the forces generated by the opposed cutting toolsduring the cutting strokes. By virtue of the heavy metal sections of thetool holder and right angular disposition of the cutting edges, a highdegree of rigidity is provided for the support of the opposed cuttingtools, so as to eliminate tool chatter and to improve the quality of thework.

In order to bring the opposed cutting edges to op erating position, thetool holder is mounted upon a rocking tool shaft journalled in the toolslide upon an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal path of travel ofthe table, but which is inclined slightly from the perpendicular in aplane which is transverse to the path of travel. The opposed cuttingbits are disposed in a position to be alternately brought into cuttingposition by imparting oscillating or rocking motion to the rock shaft,the tool slide being provided with suitable power mechanism connected tothe rocking tool shaft for this purpose.

A further objective of the invention has been to provide a double actingtool having cutting bits which may be repositioned when worn to presentunused cutting edges in a convenient manner without requiring the toolholder to be demounted from its mounting shaft.

According to this aspect of the invention, the cutting bits, which areformed from a hard material such as carbide, are accurately seatedwithin respective recesses formed in the tool holder block and areclamped therein by releasable elements such as screws. In one form ofthe invention, the bit is generally square in configuration and hasrounded corners providing four cutting edges which may be presentedsuccessively to the work by repositioning the bit. In another form, thecutting bit is generally cylindrical and may be rotated within therecess to present the desired portion of the cutting edge to the work.

As disclosed in the co-pending application, the present tool is alsointended for duplex cutting operations wherein a finishing tool ismounted upon a clapper for coaction with the double action tool. Duringthe duplex operation, the double acting tool takes a cut during theforward and return strokes of the table, while the finishing tool takesa skim cut during motion in one direction only, the width of the skimout being sufiicient to finish two previous rough cuts. The doubleaction tool is also used in cross planing and side planing operations,as disclosed in the co-pending application.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be more fullyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings: 1

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of a planing machine utilizing a doubleaction cutting tool according to the present invention, and showing thetool positioned for cutting in one direction of table reciprocation.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the double action toolpositioned for cutting during the return motion of the table.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the lowerportion of the tool slide and rocking tool shaft upon which the doubleaction cutting tool is mounted.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3,, furtherdetailing the double action tool.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the rockingtool shaft and cutting tool during a cut in one direction of tablemotion.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIGURE 5, furtherillustrating the cutting tool in relation to the direction of motion ofthe workpiece.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, illustrating the position of therocking tool shaft and tool while cutting during the return motion ofthe table.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIGURE 7,- furtherillustrating the cutting tool in relation to the return motion of theworkpiece. a FIGURES 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views showing the'railhead equipped with a clapper. and finishing tool arranged to coact withthe double acting tool in a duplex planing operation. 7 7

FIGURES 11 and 12 are diagrammatic views projected from FIGURES 9 and10, further illustrating the operation of the double acting tool andfinishing tool with respect to the workpiece.

, FIGURE 13 is a perspective viewillustrating a double acting tool ofslightly modified construction, wherein the demountable cutting bits aresquare in configuration, as distinguished from .the cylindrical buttontype bits shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. V

1 FIGURE 14 is a side view of the tool shown in FIG- URE 13. s

FIGURE 15 is a perspective viewillustrating a further modification ofthe cutting tool.

FIGURE 16 is a perspectiveview of a portion of the tool body of FIGURE15, showing the recess in which the cutting bit is mounted. I

Planing Machine In order to disclose the structure and operation of thecutting tool of the present invention, the tool is shown in relation tothe planing machineill ustrated in the aforesaid co-pending applicationSerial No. 507,207.' Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the machine comprisesan elongated bed 1 having a table z which is slidable longitudinallywith respect to the top of the bed, as indicated by the arrows. A tablemotor indicated generally at 3, is in driving connection with the tablefor reciprocation in forward and reverse directions. The workpiece 4 ismounted upon the upper surface of the table and is secured firmly inplace by clamping devices of conventional design which are not'shown. V

It will be understood at this point that the double acting tool of thepresent inventionis intended for planing operations of various typesQasdisclosed in the co pending application, suchas longitudinal planing,cross planing or side planing. However, for the purpose of illustratingthe principles of the cutting tool, the present disclosure is limited toa longitudinal planing operation, wherein the table is reciprocatedlongitudinally while the cutting tool is presented to the surface of theworkpiece during motion in both directions; i i

The planer is provided with a vertical column or housing which issecured to the bed at one side, with across rail 6 having one end'slidably connected to the column by means of suitable Verticalslide-ways (not shown). The column also includes a power operatedelevating mechanism (not shown) by means of which the cross rail andcutting tool may beadjusted vertically with 'respect to the table 2.When the rail is adjusted to its proper elevation to the top surface ofthe work resting uponthe table, the rail is clamped rigidly in positionupon thecolumne" The cross rail 6 extends transversely across the bed ofthe machine and its outer end usually issu'ppo'rted by a demountablecolumn or housing which projects upwardly from the opposite side of bed2 in alignment with column 5. The demountable column and associatedparts form nopart of the'present' invention and for' this reason havenot been illustrated. 'When the nature of the work so requires, thedemountable column can be removed to convert the planer into an openside machine, in which case cross rail 6 vprojects in cantilever fashionacross the bed of the machine.

. The double action cutting tool, which is indicated generally at 7 inFIGURES 1 and 2, ismounted upon a rocking tool shaft 8, as best shown-inFIGURES 3 and 5. The shaft 8 is journalled in a tool head or slide(FIGURES 1 and 2) which in turn, is mounted upon a rail head 11 forvertical and angular adjustment relative to the rail head. The crossrail includes a power operated feed mechanism (not shown) for shiftingthe rail head 11 and tool slide 10 in stepwise advancements, such thatthe double action tool 7 is fed transversely with respect to the topsurface of the workpiece during the planing operation. In order toprovide the double cutting action, the tool slide 10 is provided with areversible stall motor 12 in driving connection with rock shaft 8 forrocking the shaft and double action tool in forward and reversedirections in time with the reciprocations of the table and workpiece.The stall motor 12 may represent either an air motor or one operatedelectrically or hydraulically. In any case, the motor is of the typewhich is stalled at the limit of rocking motion of the tool shaft 8,stops being provided to engage a stop lug of the shaft at its limits ofrocking motion. These stops are arranged to alternately present the twocutting edges of the double action tool to the work, the stall motor 12holding the shaft rigidly against the stops so as to prevent any toolchatter during the cutting strokes, with the alternate cutting thrustsimposed directly upon the stops which are closely adjacent the cuttingtool within the tool slide.

As noted above, the tool slide 10 is adjustable vertically with respectto the rail head 11- to adjust the cutting edges of the tool 7 withrespect to the surface of the workpiece 4. During a surface planingoperation, the tool slide is locked in its verticallyadjusted position,and is fed in steps along the cross rail in time with the reciprocationsof the table so as to progressively machine the work surface, one outbeing made during each table stroke in forward and reverse directions.The tool slide is also 7 provided with a clapper for mounting afinishing tool, as

Planing Machine Operation As indicated generally in FIGURES 1 and 2,.the table motor 3 is energized in forward and reverse directions by anelectrical control system which includes limit switches 13-13 atopposite ends of the bed, the switches being tripped by the table at itslimits of motion, as indicated. The electrical control system alsoregulates the power feed mechanism of the'rail head, and the stall motor12 in time "with the reciprocations of the table and work piece. Thelimit switches 13 are mounted for adjustment relative to the bed toprovide a predetermined amount of overtravel between the end of theworkpiece and cutting tool at the limits of table reciprocation. Thepurpose of this clearance is to enable the rocking tool shaft to reversethe tool position so as to present the opposed cutting bits alternatelyto the workpiece without interference with the end of the workpiece.

When the left hand limit switch 13 is tripped (FIG- URE 1) the controlcircuit is conditioned to reverse the table motor 3 so as to stop thetable, then drive it in the opposite direction as indicated by the arrowin this view. At the same time, the stall motor 12 is also energized bythe control system so as to rotate the rock shaft 8 and cutting tool 7to bring one of the cutting bits 14- to cutting position facing theleading end of the work, as indicated in FIGURE 1. The feed motor isalso energized at this time to shift the rail head 11 through afeedingstep along the cross rail 6 so as to present the cutting bit toits new position transversely of the workpiece. After the rail headcompletes its feeding step, the leading end of the work reaches thecutting bit 14 and the table carries the workpiece through the cuttingstroke to the position shown in FIGURE 2, at which point the right handlimit switch 13 is tripped.

At this point, the end of the workpiece will have travelled beyond thecutting tool, as indicated. When the switch is tripped, the table motoris again reversed, the feed motor is energized to feed the rail head toits new position, and the tool motor is energized to rock the tool shaftto bring the opposite cutting bit 14 to cutting position as indicated.This sequence of operations is carried out at each limit of table motionuntil the cutting tool has been fed in stepwise fashion across theentire surface of the work to be planed.

In order to present the opposed cutting bits 14 alternately to thecutting plane, the axis of the rocking tool shaft 8 is perpendicular tothe longitudinal path travel of the workpiece. However, the axis ofshaft 8 is inclined a few degrees from the perpendicular in relation tothe transverse plane of the work, as indicated at A in FIGURE 5, thedegree of angulation being exaggerated for illustration. It will benoted in this View, that the broken line 15 is perpendicular to thetransverse plane of the work, while the broken line 16 represents theinclined axis of the tool shaft 8. The angular relationship of the shaftis brought about by adjusting the tool slide it} angularly relative tothe rail head 11.

As shown in FIGURES -8, the cutting edges of the bits 14 are disposed ina common, generally horizontal plane, but the transverse inclination of"shaft 8 correspondingly inclines the plane of rotation of the bits. Asshown in FIGURES 5 and 7, the bits are disposed on the low side of thecutting plane, as determined by the inclination of shaft 8, such thatthe cutting edge of one bit is shifted to a plane below the cutting edgeof the opposite bit as the rocking motion is imparted in for- Ward andreverse directions to shaft 8. The rocking motion not only presents theopposed bits alternately to the work but also provides clearanceindicated at 17 (FIGURES 5 and 7), which prevents the non-cutting bitfrom dragging across the surface of the work, thereby to preserve thecutting edges. As viewed in FIGURES 6 and 8, the arrangement of thecutting bits 14 with respect to the tool 7 is such that it requires buta few degrees of rocking shaft motion to present the two bitsalternately to cutting position. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, uponrotation of the shaft 8 through an arc of approximately 20, the cuttingedges alternately are disposed at right angles to the path of motion ofthe work, as indicated by the arrows in these views.

As shown in FIGURES 5 and 7, a link 18 is in driving connection with thstall motor 12, which as indicated above, may represent an electricallycontrolled air motor in place of the electrical motor shown in theco-pending application. As shown in these views, the link 18 isconnected to the tool shaft 8 through a-crank device, indicatedgenerally at 19 projecting from shaft 8, such that the forward andreverse motions of the link impart rocking motion to the tool shaft.

Double Acting Tool The double acting cutting tool 7 shown in FIGURES 3and 4 comprises a generally cylindrical tool holder or block 20 which isattached to the tool shaft 8 by a draw bar 21 which projects from a boreextending through the tool shaft. The draw bar is Well known in theindustry and is arranged to be rotated either by hand or by power. Thetool holder 20 includes a threaded bore 22 (FIGURE 3) providing athreaded engagement with the lower portion of the draw bar. A centeringboss 23, projecting from the upper surface of the tool holder, interfitsa socket formed in the lower end of a head 24 which forms a part of thetool shaft 8. If the draw bar is hand operated, its lower end mayinclude a hexagonal socket 25 (FIGURE 3) for the reception of a suitablewrench, whereby the draw bar is rotated manually to mount or demount thetool.

As best shown in FIGURE 3, the head 24 includes a transverse key 26projecting downwardly from its lower surface or cutting face, and theupper surface or mount- 6 ing face of the tool holder 20' is slotted asat 27 (FIG- URE 4) to interfit the key. This arrangement locks the toolholder securely against rotation so as to resist the cutting thrustswhich act upon the opposed cutting bits. As indicated in FIGURES 3 and4, the stop lug of the tool shaft 8 is formed as at 28 in the upperportion of ,head 24, by appropriately machining away portions of I thehead. This lug or projection, as shown in broken lines in FIGURE 4,coacts with a hardened stop plate 30 having opposed abutment surfaces 31against which the lug 28 engages in its alternate positions. By virtueof this arrangement, the cutting thrusts acting upon the bits areabsorbed close to the point of application to eliminate tool chatter andto isolate the torque forces from the tool shaft.

The slot '27 of the tool holder shown in FIGURE 4 is arranged to presentthe cutting bits to the work in 1011- gitudinal planing operations, asshown in FIGURES 5-8. For cross planing, as disclosed in the co-pendingapplication, the tool holder is rotated to a right angular position withrespect to the shaft '8. For cross planing therefore, the tool holder isprovided with a second slot 32, as indicated in broken lines (FIGURE 4),which is at right angles to the slot 27.

The cylindrical or button-type cutting bits 14 shown in FIGURES 3 and 4are intended primarily for rough cutting since their cutting edgesgenerate cuts which are slightly ,concave. Each cutting bit 14 tapersinwardly from its cutting edge 33 to provide the necessary cutting rakeor clearance. The bits are made of a suitable hard material, such ascarbide, and are detachably secured in position by respective screws 34which are threaded into the tool holder from opposite sides, each bithaving a counterbore 35 which presents a shoulder engaged by the head ofthe screw. 7

As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, the tool holder 7 is provided with 'alug portion 36 projecting outwardly from its cylindrical body and thebody of the tool holder is provided with semi-cylindrical recess 37 atopposite sides leading to the lug portion 36. The recesses 37 aretapered and snugly embrace a portion of the bits 14 which are clampedrigidly against the opposite sides of the ug portion 36 by the screws34. It will be noted in FIGURE 4, that the cutting faces 38 of theopposed bits diverge outwardly relative to the axis of the tool holder20. This angulati-on presents the cutting faces at right angles to thedirection of the travel of the work as the bits are alternately broughtto cutting position, as noted earlier with respect to FIGURES 6 and 8.

Since the cutting bits 14 are cylindrical, they may be clamped in placewith selected portions of their cutting edges presented to the worksurface, and the cutting edges may be renewed from time to time simplyby loosening the screws 34 and rotating the bits to new positions. If itis necessary to install new bits, the screws 34 are simply removed topermit replacement of the bits. These operations may be performedwithout 'dismounting the tool holder from the tool shaft 8 upon which itis mounted.

Double Acting Tools of Modified Construction The cutting tool shown inFIGURES l3 and 14 is generally similar to the tool described above anddiffers primarily in that the opposed cutting bits, which are indicatedat 40, are square in outline configuration. The tool block or holder 41is provided with generally square recesses 42 at opposite sides toreceive the square cutting bits 40, the bits being embraced at two sidesby the recess 42 (FIGURE 14), leaving the adjacent two sides of the bitexposed. The bits 40 are clamped in the recesses by headed screws 39seated in counter-bores formed in the bits, the shank of each screwbeing threaded into the holder, as described with reference to FIGURE 4.The bits preferably are seated upon respective hardened plates 4343(FIGURE 13) which interfit the recesses.

As viewed in FIGURE 14, the square bits are disposed in a diagonalposition so as to present a rounded corner 44 to the workpiece, therounded corner portion forming the cutting'edge. The adjacent sides ofthe block 41 are inclined as at 45 and 46 corresponding with theconfiguration of the cutting bits. :The sides of the cutting bits aretapered from the working face 4'7 rearward- 1y, as described above withreference to FIGURES 3 and 4, to provide the rake or working clearance.

The modified block 41 (FIGURE 14) includesat it upper surface acentering boss 23 and slot 27 for engagement with the head 24 of thetool shaft 8; it also ineludes a threaded bore for engagement by thedraw, as described above. i

Refer-ring to FIGURES 15 and 16, the modified tool holder 49 showntherein, and also shown in the co-pending application, is provided withcutting bits 48 having straight side and bottom cutting edges 50. Asshown in FIGURE 16 with the bit removed, one side of the holder includesa' pair of generally square recesses 51 having hardened plates 52secured in the recesses by screws53.

I The bits 48 are clampedin place by respective clamping blocks 54, eachblock having oneend seated against the surface of the holder 49 andhaving its opposite end seated upon a flat 55 formed in-the exposed sideof the bit. Each clamping block is forced into clamping engagement withthe bit by clamping screw 56 threaded into the holder at a pointintermediate the length of the block. When the toolis in operation, theworking face 57 of each bit resides substantially at right angles to theline of travel of the work as the bits alternately are rocked to cuttingposition. g

Duplex Cutting As shown in FIGURES '9 and 11, the workpiece 4 istravelling toward the right and the finishing tool 60 is taking afinishing cut, while one of the roughing bits 14 concurrently takes arough cut as indicated. Uponcompletion of the stroke, the "double actingtool is reversed as in FIGURES 10 and 12 to present the opposed bit,while the tool slide 10 shifts theclapper and finishing tool to anon-cutting position." At this point, while the end of the'work isshifted beyond'the cutting tools, the rail head and tool slide are fedtransversely for thenext roughing cut, as indicated by the broken linesin FIGURE 12.

After the feed motion, the table and work are advanced toward the left,to take the next rough cut, as shown in 3 FIGURES 10 and 12, then theduplex cutof FIGURES 9 and 11 is repeated. It will be understood thatthe cutting edge of the finishing tool must be at least equal to twotimes the amount of cross feed in order to finish both rough cuts, withthe finishing cuts overlapped sufficiently to provide a finefinish.

Having described our invention, we claim:

' A double-cutting tool for a planer having a rocking tool shaft havingan enlarged tool mounting head, said planer having a work supportadapted to reciprocate a work piece in a plane generally at right anglesto the axis of the tool shaft, said double-cutting tool comprising atool body having means for securing the tool body to said rocking toolshaft, said body having a solid generally polygonal outlineconfiguration, said body having a mounting face adapted to be engagedagainst the tool mounting head, said body having a second face generallyopposite and parallel to said mounting face, said body having a pair ofopposed tool recesses formedin opposite sides thereof, said recessesopening into said second face, said recesses having respective axesdisposed generally at right angles to the'central axis of the tool body,said recess axes being displaced outwardly from said central axis, eachof said recesseshaving inner bit supporting surfaces locatedsymmetrically on opposite sides of said central axis, said bitsupporting surfaces residing in planes which are spaced apart and whichdiverge outwardly in opposite directions from said central axis,respective cutting bits configured to interfit the bit supportingsurface of said recesses, said cutting bits being mounted in saidrecesses and engaging said bit supporting surfaces, said bits havingcutting edges projecting beyond the plane of said second face and facinggenerally in opposite directions from said shaft axis, the relatedspacing and angle of said diverging bit supporting surfaces beingadapted to present the said opposed cutting edges alternately atsubstantially right angles to the path of relative reciprocating motionof a workpiece carried upon said work support in response to about 20arcuaterocking motion of said tool shaft, whereby said opposed cuttingedges are presented in alternate positions for cutting in bothdirections of movement of the workpiece.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FranceJuly 26, 1943

